Disney Cruise Line is perhaps a relatively small cruise line with simply 5 ships, however what it lacks in dimension, it greater than makes up for in reputation and enthusiastic followers. It additionally has some distinctive approaches to cruising that will shock you — whether or not you’re a first-time cruiser or an skilled cruiser on a distinct line.
After crusing on six Disney Cruise Line voyages throughout 4 of its ships in the previous couple of years, I’ve picked up a number of hacks and money-saving strategies I’m comfortable to move on to you. No matter if that is your first time at sea or your 99th, you may profit from this listing of 26 Disney cruise ideas, tips and secrets and techniques.
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You can discover reductions on Disney Cruises
Disney cruises are usually dearer than different family-friendly opponents corresponding to Royal Caribbean, however there are nonetheless methods to get monetary savings on a Disney cruise. Here are some completely different reductions you’ll find for Disney Cruise Line.
Book early
When reserving a Disney cruise, your greatest transfer is to e-book the cruise as quickly because it turns into accessible. You’ll have one of the best collection of cabins and customarily one of the best costs. Sometimes, you’ll find reductions nearer to the crusing if sure room varieties aren’t promoting as hoped.
Sail one-way
A couple of occasions a yr, Disney ships based mostly in seasonal homeports want to move towards their subsequent cruising area. When that occurs, the ships sail one-way (aka repositioning) cruises, beginning in a single port and ending in a distinct one. You can usually e-book these one-off sailings for much less cash than the traditional round-trip cruises that begin and finish in the identical spot.
For instance, Disney Dream will sail a three-night cruise to maneuver it from San Juan to Ft. Lauderdale in November. You can e-book a cabin with a balcony for $1,580 for 2 folks, which is a strong value on Disney Dream. The $3,326 price ticket for a concierge-level cabin is excellent; these cabins often begin at near $800 to $1,000 greater on many different three-night sailings.
Remember to think about the price of two one-way flights if you’re calculating the financial savings bonus of taking a one-way cruise.
Related: Ultimate information to Disney Cruise Line
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Let Disney choose your cabin
If you are not choosy about which cabin you get, a straightforward technique to save a considerable amount of money in your Disney cruise is to let Disney choose your cabin for you. You choose a room kind (corresponding to an inside room or one with a balcony) after which let Disney assign you to a selected cabin location nearer to crusing. For your flexibility, any such guaranteed fare comes at a reduction.
In the instance under, you may see the most affordable inside cabin the place you choose a selected room on the ship is $2,072, whereas the worth begins at $1,488 in case you let Disney select which inside room you get. This kind of fare comes with further restrictions, so learn the positive print fastidiously. I’ve completed this a number of occasions and have at all times been proud of the room location I’ve obtained.
Upgrade your room on the port for much less
Depending on the ship’s occupancy, it may be cheaper to improve your cabin on the port proper earlier than you board than prematurely. There’s no assure a greater room shall be accessible, however it might’t harm to ask when you’re checking in contained in the port simply earlier than boarding if nicer rooms can be found.
If greater room classes have gone unsold, the check-in employees can inform you the worth to improve to a nicer room; they will reference a spreadsheet that outlines the improve charges based mostly in your present cabin and fare. In my expertise, it can save you as much as half the associated fee in comparison with upgrading your room prematurely.
Pay with factors or discounted Disney present playing cards
You will pay with discounted Disney present playing cards to save lots of just a little cash. There are some ways to do that, however stacking bank card bonus classes with discounted present playing cards that may be accessible at locations like Sam’s Club and even Target can knock round 5% off the overall value with out an excessive amount of effort.
You may use some kinds of bank card factors and miles to pay for a Disney cruise. For instance, you need to use Capital One miles from playing cards such because the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, to cowl all or a part of any cost that is thought-about a journey expense.
The Disney Visa additionally presents some onboard financial savings perks and you may take pleasure in 0% APR for six months in your Disney cruise.
The data for the Disney Visa has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Related: How to e-book a cruise with factors and miles
FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG’S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS.
2 rooms are cheaper than a set
If your loved ones is contemplating getting a set to unfold out and have extra space, however are discovering the costs for Disney Cruise Line suites to be prohibitively excessive, contemplate connecting staterooms as a substitute. A household of 4 can count on to spend about 50% extra on connecting cabins as a substitute of all staying in a single room, which is probably going loads lower than shopping for as much as a set which might be a number of occasions the price of an everyday room.
Get free Mickey ice cream bars (and extra) from room service
Unless you’re staying in a concierge-level stateroom (extra on that quickly), room service on a Disney cruise is comparatively fundamental. However, it is accessible at no further cost, so use it as a lot or as little as you want.
I’m a fan of ordering room service for a fast breakfast (or that first hit of espresso) or for a enjoyable anytime deal with of Mickey ice cream bars. I usually order Uncrustables from room service the night time earlier than port days to toss in my bag for the household to eat whereas ashore. My women discovered tips on how to politely name to order these by the second or third day of the cruise.
It’s a typical courtesy so as to add a number of {dollars} for a tip to the slip that you simply’ll signal when the order is delivered.
Order as a lot dinner as you need
On Disney Cruise Line, you’ll be assigned a dinner rotation by the three included eating places on the ship. Your serving group will rotate with you, which is fairly enjoyable as they get to know you and your preferences.
Since this meals is all included, don’t be shy. If you may’t resolve between the shrimp or salmon entree, strive each. Order a few appetizers or be daring and check out a dish you’ve got by no means tasted earlier than.
When it comes time for dessert, create your individual sampler-platter for the desk and style them relatively than limiting your self to 1 choice.
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A shrimp appetizer at dinner. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
You aren’t locked into your assigned eating plans
If, for some motive, your assigned order of eating places or tablemates (you probably have any) aren’t understanding, do not be shy about asking visitor companies to make alterations. They will join you with the suitable folks throughout the eating group to make crucial changes.
New film releases are proven within the theaters
While a movie show might sound like an odd place to spend a number of hours at sea, I like to recommend making time to go see a brand new Disney film whereas in your subsequent Disney Cruise. The ships present first-run motion pictures, so as a substitute of heading to your native theater to see the following Marvel, Pixar or different Disney movie launched near your cruise date, avoid wasting cash and benefit from the film at sea for no further cost.
In truth, in case you are at sea when a brand new Disney film premieres on land, you’ll get to see it the identical night time on the ship, too.
It’s cash-free on the ship — aside from this
You don’t want a lot money whereas on a Disney cruise. Your “Key to the World” room key serves as your type of fee and identification on the ship. I extremely advocate bringing a lanyard to maintain observe of this vital card if it is your first Disney voyage. Return cruisers are given a lanyard of their cabin.
However, if you wish to add an additional tip to your service group on the finish of the cruise past the usual quantity that is charged to your folio, it’s good to do this with money. If you might be staying in a concierge-level room, chances are you’ll need to pack some further money for the concierge lounge hosts and the night bartenders, too.
Your children can (possibly) get into an older membership
Disney Cruise Line divides children into 4 age teams — the nursery (as much as age 3), the first children membership (3–12), a tween membership (11–14) and a teen membership (14–17). The golf equipment, aside from the nursery, are complimentary, so the magic age for a Disney cruise begins as soon as your baby is at the least 3 years previous and potty-trained, to allow them to take pleasure in time within the children golf equipment when you take pleasure in … no matter you need.
Once your child is able to age as much as the following membership, they will truly try this just a little early along with your permission. For instance, my oldest was capable of degree as much as the tween membership at 10 years previous and the teenager membership at 13 years previous with a signed slip from me, so use (or disguise) that data because it fits you greatest. I’ll say that after your child ranges up in these golf equipment, they in all probability received’t return a lot to the earlier membership.
Take observe that the tween and teenage golf equipment enable children to return and go at will. If you want your baby to be monitored, then they might want to keep in the primary children membership, which is open by age 12.
Hit the swimming pools early or late to keep away from crowds
If you don’t need to swim in a crowded pool or wait in a protracted line for a slide across the AquaDuck or AquaMouse, you’ll have to make use of some technique. I like to recommend heading to the waterslide the second you board the ship whether it is heat sufficient in your port, as that’s as empty because it’s going to get.
If you miss that window, mornings are additionally fairly empty, as are late afternoons as everybody begins to prepare for the night. Avoid mid-day on sea days in any respect prices except you want swimming with dozens of your new greatest buddies.
You’ll need to adorn your door
The cabin doorways on a Disney cruise are virtually all steel, so ornamental magnets will keep on with the doorways properly. Pack themed magnets to brighten your door. Not solely is it enjoyable to take part on this shipwide ornament, however the personalised door serves to assist children (or drained adults) discover their cabin ought to they overlook the room quantity.
You can preserve issues easy or order personalised magnets on a web site like Etsy prematurely of your crusing. You may even see some doorways that go all out and even have pouches with goodies in them. Those hanging pouches are generally known as fish extenders (as they cling off of a fish constructed into the ship). They usually signify that the cabin is taking part in a present change with others on the cruise that they organized beforehand on Facebook.
Your crusing has a Facebook group and it is value becoming a member of
Speaking of Facebook, the percentages are glorious that your particular person crusing has a Facebook group with a number of hundred folks in it. If you want to take part in present exchanges, get to know your shipmates pre-cruise or faucet right into a hive thoughts for recommendation on choosing excursions and packing, it is a massive asset to belong to a gaggle particular to your crusing.
Go to Facebook and seek for your crusing (e.g. Disney Wonder Alaska June 12 – 19). You’ll seemingly discover a “non-public” group that is not formally affiliated with the cruise line. Join the group to be stored within the loop and to drum up pleasure to your journey earlier than you set sail.
Soda is free if you understand the place to look
If you order a can of Coke within the eating room or from room service, it is going to price you a number of {dollars}, however you may get as a lot free soda as you need from the fountain. These are often positioned on the pool deck and within the buffet space. Bring a refillable bottle so you may simply take your soda with you across the ship.
Check the app for comfortable hours
Alcohol is not free on board, however you’ll find discounted drinks at comfortable hour. On my most up-to-date Disney cruise, choose drinks have been 50% off from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. within the ship’s pub. Check your Navigator app throughout your crusing to search for comfortable hours in your Disney cruise.
The greatest merchandise sells out
If you see a cool hat, sweatshirt or shirt you love, purchase it as quickly as you see it. The onboard present outlets are solely open whereas the ship is at sea, and the favored objects promote out (and customarily do not get restocked when you’re on board).
A Disney cruise is not only for households
There’s little doubt that households make up a big portion of the Disney Cruise Line passenger base, however a Disney cruise is not only for teenagers. The ships cater to childless {couples} and buddy teams with particular areas reserved only for grownups.
Each ship has an adults-only nightlife space and/or a number of bars and lounges to go to within the night. An adults-only solar deck features a pool and area to sunbathe. Each ship additionally has one or two adults-only eating places you may retreat to at dinnertime if you wish to guarantee a high-end and kid-free meal. (You’ll must pay further for these meals, nevertheless.)
Disney presents legitimately good liquor and tastings
On prime of the cocktails and drinks chances are you’ll count on, Disney ships provide some very high-end liquors on board. I shared a photograph of the under beverage cart on Instagram whereas on a latest cruise and obtained dozens of messages from folks shocked Disney would have Pappy’s bourbon. That particular 23-year-old bottle goes for a number of hundred {dollars} per drink, and it is on board Disney cruise ships.
If you are on the lookout for one thing extra reasonably priced, join one of many varied beverage-tasting courses on provide. Most of the tastings are $40 – $50, and you will get to pattern a number of drinks, in addition to be taught extra about wine, tequila, bourbon and different drinks.
You need not pay for movement illness capsules
If you discover the movement of the ocean to be a bit greater than you bargained for, head to visitor companies, they usually provides you with — and your children — movement illness capsules freed from cost.
Pro tip: Don’t wait till you feel horrible to begin battling any potential movement illness. At the primary indicators of queasiness, search out a treatment. Green apples and ginger sweet are options for vacationers preferring to not take drugs.
The concierge lounge is further magical
If you need your individual private Fairy Godmother who all however ensures you get the bookings you need, one of the best meal occasions, coveted reservations on the adults-only eating places and cabana entry at Castaway Cay, then e-book your self right into a concierge-level cabin or suite.
You’ll get all that, plus you may board the ship first and skip the traces when disembarking. Concierge friends get unique entry to a lounge with included night drinks and a non-public solar deck (with a sizzling tub on Disney Wish). You can order meals from the onboard eating places to your room, and hang around with a Disney character within the lounge one night of the cruise.
Not to say, you may be staying in a few of the nicest and largest lodging on the ship.
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Concierge-level lounge. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Concierge-level rooms don’t come low-cost, however they’re the best way to go if you need cream-of-the-crop service on a Disney cruise. I’d enterprise that the added perks and further reserving window for specialty eating places and Castaway Cay are most dear on the shorter Disney cruises of three or 4 nights.
Related: What it is like on a $10,000 Disney Wish concierge cruise
Find your manner by wanting on the carpet
It might be disorienting at first to seek out your manner round a cruise ship, however Disney makes it simple to know in case you are heading ahead or aft if you’re within the lengthy cabin hallways. If the carpet design is the wrong way up, you are heading towards the again of the ship, however whether it is proper facet up, you are heading to the entrance of the ship. In the photograph under, the globe is the clue.
Late dinner is best
Disney cruise ships provide two dinner choices — early or late seating. Your showtime for the night leisure is reverse your dinner; you probably have an early dinner, you will have the late present and vice versa.
It’s logical to imagine that an early dinner at 5:45 p.m., versus late dinner at 8:15 p.m., is best you probably have little children. Having completed each, I’d say that late dinner is vastly superior in most conditions.
First, 5:45 p.m. is simply too early to have made probably the most of your day and be prepared for dinner. With all there’s to eat on the cruise, you won’t even be hungry but. Beyond that, in case you aren’t heading into the darkish theater to see the present till 8:15 p.m., it may be laborious for little ones to take a seat nonetheless or keep awake.
However, in case you see the present first after which eat dinner, the servers are nice about expressing your meal with little children. It’s higher to do a fast dinner after which head to mattress (or again to the youngsters membership!) than an early dinner and miss the night reveals as a result of your child now not has the power to take a seat nonetheless.
The $45 grownup restaurant is value it
If you take pleasure in positive eating, e-book a flowery dinner at one of many adults-only eating places. Depending on which ship you might be on, there shall be one or two eating places which might be reserved for adults — Palo and maybe additionally Remy or Enchante.
Remy and Enchante are super-fancy and pricy, however Palo is approachable-fancy and prices an extra $45 per particular person for the set menu. It’s 100% well worth the cash if you may get a reserving.
You’ll go away any cartoony hint of Disney behind as you leisurely indulge on beef tenderloin, sea scallops, grilled lobster with pasta, calamari and chocolate souffle.
The greatest character conferences aren’t the posted ones
You’ll discover many character meet-and-greets on the itinerary for every day the place it is recognized that Mickey, Donald or Minnie shall be at a selected place at a selected time for a quick hey and a photograph. Those meetups are nice, however they aren’t one of the best character interactions you may discover on Disney Cruise Line.
The greatest time you may have with characters shall be if you least count on to see them. You would possibly spot Goofy strolling round in his pajamas, Donald waddling out on the deck or Minnie strolling the halls in her most interesting costume.
These encounters cannot be deliberate or predicted, however with out the traces and compelled nature of a fast photograph, the extra free-form interplay with the characters is best than any deliberate photograph periods you may discover on land or sea.
All the characters come out to say goodbye on the final night time
On the final night time of every cruise, the entire basic characters come out to the atrium for a short while (15 – 20 minutes) so you may snap a fast photograph with anybody you missed earlier than they do their ultimate farewell presentation. Check your app for this goodbye present, which often happens round 10 or 10:30 p.m.
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The goodbye present. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Pro tip: If you will have a selected character you need to {photograph}, ask a solid member establishing for the occasion the place that character often stands throughout photograph time. That manner, you may place your self in the appropriate space to snap a photograph as a result of the occasion can flip chaotic in a rush.
Skip the debarkation line by carrying your individual baggage
Getting off the ship concurrently 1000’s of different friends could be a buzzkill, so do not try this. If you may handle your individual baggage, do not put them out the night time earlier than and take them off the ship your self the ultimate morning.
That leaves you free to disembark as early as potential earlier than the common disembarkation begins, which is perhaps round 7:30 a.m. or so, relying on the port, climate and different elements. You can keep away from the crowds as a result of you do not have to attend to your baggage to be assembled together with everybody else.
You can convey your individual water and wine
If you need to have bottled water on the prepared, convey a case of it onboard. It will have to be sealed in its authentic packaging and it’s important to carry it on (as a substitute of getting it in checked baggage), however it may be value it if you wish to get monetary savings for the really yummy drinks.
If you take pleasure in wine or beer out in your veranda, it can save you just a little money by bringing your individual alcohol onboard, with limits. Guests 21 years and older might convey a most of two bottles of unopened wine or Champagne (no bigger than 750 ml) or a six-pack of beer (no bigger than 12 ounces) on board originally of the voyage and at every port of name. Again, these drinks have to be carried on and never stashed in checked baggage.
You can benefit from the spa with no therapy
If you like the thought of spa-like quiet and rest with out paying round $200+ per therapy, look into the Rainforest Room within the Senses Spa, which prices a lot lower than that per day. Depending on demand, you may e-book a one-day move or get a move that lasts the length of your cruise. Inquire within the spa as to availability and actual pricing, but it surely’s actually going to be lower than a spa therapy.
Each of the Disney ships has its personal model of this room. On Disney Wish, the area has not solely the heated loungers which might be a typical fixture in every of those thermal areas, but in addition an indoor and outside lounge element, a steam room, a relaxing ice room and a calming water function for dangling your ft.
Bottom line
You can’t go incorrect in reserving a Disney cruise as there’s already a lot included and accessible at your fingertips. But with just a little information, you may skip a few of the frequent first-timer errors and board like a professional, beginning along with your first cruise.
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